Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

This conversation is moderated according to USA TODAY's
community rules.
Please read the rules before joining the discussion.

Top 10 Arizona high school football athletes - 2014

Top 10 Arizona high school football athletes - 2014

Richard Obert ranks the top athletes in Arizona for the 2014 high school football season.

Sponsored by

Tom Tingle/azcentral sports

No. 1 Christian Kirk

Scottsdale Saguaro, 5-11, 205, Sr.: Might be the most valuable player in the state. He plays a multitude of positions. On offense, he is a natural tailback and gifted receiver with a chance to gain more than 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving next season. On defense, he is a lock-down cornerback with tremendous ball skills. Then, let him return kicks and he is a threat to return every one back for a touchdown.

Stacie Scott/azcentral sports

No. 2 Cassius Peat

Tempe Corona del Sol, 6-4, 230, Sr.: The last and most athletic in a line of talented brothers. Peat is a major college prospect at both tight end and linebacker and defensive end. He has three state championship rings in basketball, playing a key role on each of those teams. He makes a huge impact on both sides of the ball. A game changer.

Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

No. 3 Kam'ron Johnson

Saguaro, 5-11, 200, Sr.: Saguaro went from great to off-the-charts in June when Johnson said he was transferring from Tempe, where he impacted the game in every phase - offense, defense and special teams. He is an extraordinary kick returner who can play linebacker, safety and cornerback on defense. He is a big-play threat in the backfield who can also line up wide and make plays at receiver. It will be interesting to see how coach Jason Mohns utilizes Johnson and Kirk together on offense.

Kelly Presnell/Arizona Daily Star

No. 4 Derik Hall

Tucson Sahuaro, 6-1, 195, Sr.: You will find him all over the field next season, from outside linebacker to strong safety to running back to receiver to returning kicks. Hall rarely leaves the field, and when he does, opposing players don't forget him. Big hitter with tremendous skills, strength and speed.

Mike Christy/Arizona Daily Star

No. 5 Tyler Wyatt

Peoria Liberty, 5-11, 185, Sr.: Potential future major league baseball player, Wyatt is a speedy dual-threat quarterback who might be the state's best kicker. He is also as good a defensive back you will find in the state. Wyatt's leadership skills and abilities will take Liberty a long way next season.

Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

No. 6 Morris Kroma

Chandler Hamilton, 5-11, 180, Sr.: A rare two-way starter for perennial Division I power, Kroma will play cornerback and receiver and return kicks for the Huskies. Last year, in the state championship game, Kroma returned a kick back for a touchdown against Phoenix Mountain Pointe. Explosive athlete.

Ironwood

No. 7 Jett Robertson

Glendale Ironwood, 5-11, 190, Sr.: Natural tailback, Robertson had to play quarterback last season because of injuries. He became a huge dual-threat, breaking off long runs from the QB position. He can also catch the ball and will light up receivers at defensive back.

Michael Schennum/azcentral sports

No. 8 Kyeler Burke

Hamilton, 6-0, 170, Jr.: Ultimate H-back, who can move around in the backfield, play receiver. Biggest offensive threat for the Huskies. Started as a sophomore. Expected to have a huge junior season, impacting the game with his hands and legs.

Michael Schennum/azcentral sports

No. 9 Ryan Velez

Brophy Prep, 6-1, 195, Jr.: When he won a starting job midway through last season, he made an immediate impact on offense and special teams. He can be a workhorse running back, catch deep passes out of the slot and return kickoffs back for touchdown. Can score from anywhere on the field with a variety of moves and speed.

Richard Obert/azcentral sports

No. 10 Isaiah Oliver

Brophy Prep, 6-1, 175, Sr.: Might be the best special teams player in the state with his ability to block kicks. He had a remarkable four blocked field-goal attempts last season. He is a top defensive back who will also make a huge impact on offense next season at receiver.

This is the second in a series previewing high school football positions in Arizona for the 2014 season. We have already hit on the top 10 quarterbacks. It's time to look at the top 10 'athletes,' guys who change the game in a variety of ways.

No. 1 Christian Kirk, Scottsdale Saguaro, 5-11, 205, Sr.: Might be the most valuable player in the state. He plays a multitude of positions. On offense, he is a natural tailback and gifted receiver with a chance to gain more than 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving next season. On defense, he is a lock-down cornerback with tremendous ball skills. Then, let him return kicks and he is a threat to return every one back for a touchdown.

No. 2 Cassius Peat, Tempe Corona del Sol, 6-4, 230, Sr.: The last and most athletic in a line of talented brothers. Peat is a major college prospect at both tight end and linebacker and defensive end. He has three state championship rings in basketball, playing a key role on each of those teams. He makes a huge impact on both sides of the ball. A game changer.

No. 3 Kam'ron Johnson, Saguaro, 5-11, 200, Sr.: Saguaro went from great to off-the-charts in June when Johnson said he was transferring from Tempe, where he impacted the game in every phase – offense, defense and special teams. He is an extraordinary kick returner who can play linebacker, safety and cornerback on defense. He is a big-play threat in the backfield who can also line up wide and make plays at receiver. It will be interesting to see how coach Jason Mohns utilizes Johnson and Kirk together on offense.

No. 4 Derik Hall, Tucson Sahuaro, 6-1, 195, Sr.: You will find him all over the field next season, from outside linebacker to strong safety to running back to receiver to returning kicks. Hall rarely leaves the field, and when he does, opposing players don't forget him. Big hitter with tremendous skills, strength and speed.

No. 5 Tyler Wyatt, Peoria Liberty, 5-11, 185, Sr.: Potential future major league baseball player, Wyatt is a speedy dual-threat quarterback who might be the state's best kicker. He is also as good a defensive back you will find in the state. Wyatt's leadership skills and abilities will take Liberty a long way next season.

No. 6 Morris Kroma, Chandler Hamilton, 5-11, 180, Sr.: A rare two-way starter for perennial Division I power, Kroma will play cornerback and receiver and return kicks for the Huskies. Last year, in the state championship game, Kroma returned a kick back for a touchdown against Phoenix Mountain Pointe. Explosive athlete.

No. 7 Jett Robertson, Glendale Ironwood, 5-11, 190, Sr.: Natural tailback, Robertson had to play quarterback last season because of injuries. He became a huge dual-threat, breaking off long runs from the QB position. He can also catch the ball and will light up receivers at defensive back.

No. 8 Kyeler Burke, Hamilton, 6-0, 170, Jr.: Ultimate H-back, who can move around in the backfield, play receiver. Biggest offensive threat for the Huskies. Started as a sophomore. Expected to have a huge junior season, impacting the game with his hands and legs.

No. 9 Ryan Velez, Brophy Prep, 6-1, 195, Jr.: When he won a starting job midway through last season, he made an immediate impact on offense and special teams. He can be a workhorse running back, catch deep passes out of the slot and return kickoffs back for touchdown. Can score from anywhere on the field with a variety of moves and speed.

No. 10 Isaiah Oliver, Brophy Prep, 6-1, 175, Sr.: Might be the best special teams player in the state with his ability to block kicks. He had a remarkable four blocked field-goal attempts last season. He is a top defensive back who will also make a huge impact on offense next season at receiver.